The office ruled that Apple's "applied-for mark merely describes a feature or characteristic of applicant's goods", adding that the firm failed to "create a unique, incongruous, or non-descriptive meaning in relation to the goods being small handheld mobile devices comprising tablet computers capable of providing internet access".

Apple has until July to appeal against the decision and convince the Patent Office that the term iPad mini can be copyrighted.

The Cupertino company has been involved in a number of high-profile patent disputes with several rival technology companies, including an ongoing battle with Samsung that is showing no signs of abating.